hap1 maai4 ngaan5瞌埋眼
Jyutpinghap1 maai4 ngaan5
Yalehāp màaih ngáahn
Definition
To close one's eyes.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the act of shutting one's eyelids, often implying a desire to rest, sleep, or block out a scene. It is frequently used when someone is exhausted or trying to fall asleep, rather than just the physical action of closing eyes for a moment. The structure often pairs with 休息 or 瞓覺 to emphasize the intent behind the action.
Examples
You should close your eyes and rest for a while.
He fell asleep the moment he closed his eyes.
Related words
Common phrases
to close eyes and sleep
to close eyes and rest
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 閉眼, which is a more formal or literary way to say close eyes. Using 閉眼 in casual conversation sounds unnatural and overly dramatic, as if you are preparing for a serious or solemn event.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
